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70 years of punting racing: A celebration for Tübingen and its history!
Find out more about the 70th anniversary of the Tübingen punting race and the memories of its founders.
70 years of punting racing: A celebration for Tübingen and its history!
The punting race in Tübingen can look back on an impressive history. On October 19, 2025, the co-founders of the traditional race met in Bebenhausen to celebrate the upcoming 70th anniversary next year. All founders in attendance are over 90 years old, and their memories are a living part of the history of this popular event. How SWR reports, the first race was held in 1956 after Uli Göltenboth developed the idea during a student party.
In 2016, the race took place on May 26th and was celebrated by the students with bright sunshine and numerous spectators. The route stretches over around two kilometers and guarantees exciting competitions. This year, the former sports departments were the fastest and mastered the infamous “eye of the needle”, a narrow passage that represents a challenge for many teams. Also Stuttgart News highlights that the event has taken place annually since 1956 and is organized by the previous year's losers.
The origin and the rules
In 1955, the Lichtenstein academic association bought a punt for 400 German marks - the starting signal for a tradition had been given. Seven boats took part in the first race, each with a crew of up to eight people. The start and finish point was the picturesque Neckar Island. Surprisingly for the organizers, there were numerous spectators who even stood on bridges and tracks so that a train had to slow down. The success of the race was not just local, but developed into a supra-regional event.
The rules of the race, such as the limited number of participants and the tradition that losers must drink half a liter of cod liver oil, still exist today. Over 100 guests gathered at the very first winners' party in Haus Lichtenstein, despite 16 complaints about disturbing the peace - the police generously nodded.
A look ahead to the anniversary
The co-founders look back with joy on the unexpected success story of the punting race and leave it open as to whether they will come to Tübingen for the 70th anniversary next year. Uli Göltenboth, the inventor of the race, has unfortunately passed away, but his legacy lives on in every stroke of the paddle and in every laugh of the participants and spectators.
The punting race is more than just a competition; it is a piece of Tübingen's way of life that shows the students' sense of community and connection to the city. This anniversary will certainly be a great occasion to honor tradition and celebrate time with old friends and new faces.